I love Providence, but sometimes, I love being away from Providence. Whether it’s an afternoon in South County spent by the shore, or a weekend mini-break, a moment to recharge my batteries is essential for my peace of mind. The thing is, though, that I’ve been thinking about this whole getting away thing all wrong: I don’t actually need to leave to feel like I’ve had a vacation. This is what I learned one Sunday afternoon at the Spa at the Biltmore.
The Biltmore is the city’s only hotel with its own spa – so if you’re taking a staycation, you can shlep from your room to your treatment room in your robe if you so choose but it’s also easy to visit just for a treatment, and they’re pretty good to locals. Valet in the hotel garage is free with spa treatments, and they offer a 20% discount on services to Providence residents.
When I walked in on a Sunday in early fall, I really needed a break. It was one of those weekends that don’t really feel like weekends, filled with obligations and things that had to get done. The scene on Washington Street as I walked to the hotel wasn’t pretty, either. Big crowd, lots of sirens and flashing lights – the kind of thing you’d rather not have to see at all, never mind when you’re trying to give yourself a time out from your life. Needless to say, I was frazzled when I walked into the spa. But as the receptionist walked me through the makeup application space to the elevator, and brought me upstairs into the treatment area, my temperature changed. The spa space feels like another world. Dim lighting, built-in fountains, neutral colors, serene music playing – everything felt hushed, but in a good way. Once I made my way into the changing room, switched my clothing for a treatment robe and sat down with some cucumber water in the waiting area, I was ready to relax.
The Spa at the Biltmore | 11 Dorrance Street | 455-3100
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